Sunday Stretch: Vol. 120 - Lent V

Start off your week with a grounded take on Bible, prayer, the world, and your life ...

Hi Readers,

I’m writing to you mid-first-week-post-book-launch, and I’m so grateful for everything this project has already brought into my life. (By the way, welcome to new subscribers who’ve signed up since Disciples of White Jesus first came out!)

I’ve learned so much following other writers who have gone ahead of me, and one thing I remember from watching

lyz

’s amazingly successful book launch last year - was that she still was able to find a way to take time to get away for a Spring Break trip with her family.

I think especially for those of us who do this sort of work as parents, it’s really helpful to see examples of ways people find to do both: to set boundaries both around their availability as parents but also as workers - whatever work you happen to be doing. So thanks to Lyz Lenz for giving me that subtle permission. The really great news too is that as I got away with my family for a few days this week to Southern California, I was also able to fit in an awesome book event in Laguna Beach. More on that soon.

For now - it’s Week 5 of Lent already. Holy Week is coming soon, and I remain rooted in the reminder that hope is grounded in the Cross. We have some great Bible passages to study this week. So - let’s get to the texts!

Invitations

For DC-area readers, I’ll be Washington today at Americans United for the Separation of Church and State’s Summit for Religious Freedom, appearing on a panel with one of the leading scholars of Christian Nationalism, race, and religion in America,

Jemar Tisby, PhD

, as well as AU President and CEO Rachel Laser. I’ll be signing books afterwards and would love to see you!

For Chicago-area readers, this coming Wednesday (April 9) I’ll be leading an educational session on Christian Nationalism at Augustana Lutheran Church in Hyde Park at 6:30 p.m. Will also be signing books and would love to see you there!

Bible Stories

Isaiah 43:16-21

Is. 43:16 Thus says the LORD,

who makes a way in the sea,

a path in the mighty waters,

¹⁷ who brings out chariot and horse,

army and warrior;

they lie down, they cannot rise,

they are extinguished, quenched like a wick:

¹⁸ Do not remember the former things,

or consider the things of old.

¹⁹ I am about to do a new thing;

now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?

I will make a way in the wilderness

and rivers in the desert.

²⁰ The wild animals will honor me,

the jackals and the ostriches;

for I give water in the wilderness,

rivers in the desert,

to give drink to my chosen people,

²¹ the people whom I formed for myself

so that they might declare my praise.